Robertson to clash against Hendry in Snooker China Open

 　　BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry edged Martin Gould 5-4 to set up a second-round clash with "the Melbourne Machine" Neil Robertson in the 2012 World Snooker China Open here on Monday.

　　"In the last frame, there were many times I thought that I was going to lose. I even took my cue into two pieces," said Hendry.

　　Hendry cannoned¹ the first century in this edition of 135 clearance² to start the match. Gould geared back a 105 to drag the match into final frame, where Hendry managed a counterattack of 35 clearance to reverse the losing edge from 25-51.

　　Earlier, Robertson came from behind to scrape past Jamie Cope of England 5-4.

　　Robertson, known as the "Melbourne Machine", showed up with a new-look curly blond barnet instead of his symbolic³ neat straight haircut.

　　"I changed my hair for the fans to hopefully bring some luck and to bring more fun to snooker," the 29-year-old Australian said with a smile.

　　Facing tough-minded "Shotgun" Cope, Robertson struggled to level four times before the 2010 world champion sealed the error-prone game with a 61-23 victory in the ninth and final frame.

　　"It was really a tough match. His safe was very great. I couldn't get many big score opportunities I couldn't get many fluency⁴ of my game. So I must fight very hard for every shot," said Robertson, who now ranks No. 5 in the world.

　　With his brother travelling along with him this year, Robertson is glad to have time to tour in Beijing.

　　"I think it's time for us to learn more culture. I am really happy to win today because that means we can get a couple of days off now so we can get some sightseeing," said Robertson.

　　Robertson will next face the winner between "The Great One" Stephen Hendry and Martin Gould in the second round.

　　"Hendry's got amazing support from the fans. It's always a great honor to play against him. Playing professional snooker is always about playing big matches against world best players," said Robertson.

1 cannoned   

vi.与…猛撞（cannon的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The drunk man cannoned into a waiter. 那个醉汉撞在侍者怀里。 来自辞典例句
• A big dog came running round the corner, cannoned into him, and knocked him over. 一只大狗由街角跑来，撞上他，把他撞倒了。 来自辞典例句

2 clearance   

n.净空；许可(证)；清算；清除，清理

参考例句：

• There was a clearance of only ten centimetres between the two walls.两堵墙之间只有十厘米的空隙。
• The ship sailed as soon as it got clearance. 那艘船一办好离港手续立刻启航了。

3 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

4 fluency   

n.流畅，雄辩，善辩

参考例句：

• More practice will make you speak with greater fluency.多练习就可以使你的口语更流利。
• Some young children achieve great fluency in their reading.一些孩子小小年纪阅读已经非常流畅。